Clayton noted that the biggest sexual problem that women in the general population tend to have is low desire, adding that studies are underway to look for potential pharmacologic treatments.
There are no approved non-hormonal pharmacologic therapies for women with low sexual interest and arousal disorders (Basson et al., 2004a). These authors noted that the use of tibolone(Drug information on tibolone) for postmenopausal women is promising, but the women in those two randomized clinical trials did not have sexual dysfunction. Tibolone is a steroid compound marketed in the United Kingdom; it combines oestrogenic, progestogenic and androgenic properties that mimic the action of the sex hormones. The use of bupropion (Wellbutrin) is of interest but needs further study (Basson et al., 2004a). The use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors is not recommended for low interest and comorbid arousal disorders in women. (Recently, Pfizer, Inc. reported that several large-scale, placebo-controlled studies including some 3,000 women with female sexual arousal disorder showed inconclusive results in the efficacy of sildenafil(Drug information on sildenafil)--Ed.)
While estrogen therapy may improve low interest and/or arousal disorders, low doses and the use of progesterogen to oppose estrogen's adverse effects are recommended in all women with an intact uterus (Basson et al., 2004a). More research is needed on the use of testosterone therapy.
In women with genital arousal disorder, the use of local estrogen therapy for sexual symptoms resulting from vulvovaginal atrophy is recommended. These include not only genital arousal disorder with its lack of pleasure from direct genital stimulation, vaginal dryness and dyspareunia, but also frequent urinary tract infections lowering sexual interest and arousability. However, long-term systemic estrogen therapy is not recommended because of the lack of safety versus benefit data. For genital arousal disorder unresponsive to estrogen therapy, the investigational use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors is "cautiously recommended" (Basson et al., 2004a).
For women suffering from vulvar vestibulitis syndrome, the use of tricyclic antidepressants, venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor SR) or anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin(Drug information on gabapentin) (Neurontin), carbamazepine(Drug information on carbamazepine) (Tegretol, Carbatrol) or topiramate(Drug information on topiramate) (Topamax), was also "cautiously recommended" (Basson et al., 2004a).
In women suffering from female orgasmic disorder, data on pharmacological approaches were noted to be scarce (Meston et al., 2004):
Placebo-controlled research is needed to examine the effectiveness of agents with demonstrated success in case series or open-label trials (i.e., bupropion, granisetron(Drug information on granisetron) [Kytril], and sildenafil) on orgasmic function in women.Regardless of the treatment options chosen for specific sexual dysfunctions, "follow-up is essential to ensure the best treatment outcome" (Hatzichristou et al., 2004). Important aspects of follow-up include "monitoring of adverse events, assessing satisfaction or outcome associated with a given treatment, determining whether the partner may also suffer from a sexual dysfunction, and assessing overall health and psychosocial function."
